A NATIONWIDE STUDY OF THE RISK OF INJURY ASSOCIATED WITH DAY-CARE-CENTER ATTENDANCE

Objective. Because an increasing proportion of US children spends time in day care center environments, a national estimate of injury risks in day care centers is needed. Methods. We interviewed directors of 17 97 day care centers from every state and the District of Columbia from October to December 1990 and analyzed medically attended injuries and center characteristics reported by the directors. Results. The center s were attended by 138404 children. In the 2 months before the center directors were interviewed, 556 children sustained injuries requiring medical attention while attending the centers. The injury rate was 1.5 injuries per 100000 child hours in day care. The most common injuries were cuts or lacerations (31%), bumps or bruises (15%), fractures (10 %), and dental injuries (8%). Most injuries (51%) occurred on the play ground. Many injuries (18%), and more than half of fractures and concu ssions (53%) were due to falls from climbing equipment. Conclusions. D ay care center injury rates estimated by this study were relatively lo w. Many injuries that occur in this setting are probably minor. Howeve r, lowering the height of playground equipment and providing more resi lient playground surfaces could further reduce injury risks in day car e centers.